Ultra-processed food: “foods, such as soft drinks, sweet or savory packaged snacks, reconstituted meat products and pre-prepared frozen dishes, are formulations made mostly or entirely from substances derived from foods and additives.”
Common ultra-processed foods include baked products, packaged snacks, ready meals, and sweetened breakfast cereals.
Why Is Ultra-Processed Food a Problem?
Ultra-processed foods are not as nutritious as whole foods are.
The main problem is that we eat too much ultra processed foods and it displaces more nutritious food as a regular part of our diets. The average American consumes approximately 60% of their calories from ultra-processed foods.
Why is increased consumption of ultra-processed food problematic?
1) Ultra-Processed Food Appears to Encourage Over-Eating and Weight Gain
Greater consumption of ultra-processed food is also associated with higher risk of obesity.
2) Ultra-Processed Food Intake Is Associated With Poor Health Outcomes
- Ultra-processed food intake was significantly associated with the risk of all-cause mortality, cancer, depression, irritable bowel syndrome, and metabolic syndrome.
3) Ultra-Processed Food Is Often Engineered For Hyperpalatability
Hyperpalatable means that the ingredients in food combine in a way that makes it highly pleasurable to eat.
Hyperpalatable Foods and the Brain’s ‘Reward System’
When we consume these energy-dense foods with desirable traits, the brain’s reward system is activated, and dopamine (a feel-good neurotransmitter) is released me.
Research has demonstrated that food cravings and hunger are separate entities. Foods that stimulate the brain’s ‘reward system’ can interfere with our decision of when (and what) to eat.
4) Ultra-Processed Foods Are Often High In Calories Yet Lacking Nutritional Value
5) Ultra-Processed Foods Contain Multiple Ingredients That Should Be Limited
Most dietary guidelines and nutritional advice from health authorities advise strictly limited intake of refined grains, saturated fat, sugar, and salt.
However, many ultra-processed foods contain these nutrients in excessive quantities.
Download my plant based eating guide https://amzn.to/3bV4HpX
FastingCHEATCODE 